Posted by Sam Hartmann on June 22, 2010
Vernon Treweeke’s personal and professional history - from his involvment in the art scene in London, the US and pioneering techniques in Australia in the 1960s, to working as a railway worker – has us captivated. Treweeke decision to distance himself from the art world in the 1970s, after making a name for himself internationally as something of a pioneer, shocked many. His artistic career could have taken a very different path, a path similar to that of his school friend and contemporary Brett Whiteley, but the products of his career are of his own selection and making and, by his own account, he does not regret a thing. These days the now-heralded ‘father of psychodelic art’ lives a rather reclusive life in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. He's just recently decided to venture into the world of exhibiting once again. A retrospective collection of Treweeke's work, 1966 - today is currently on display at CarriageWorks, Sydney.
Covered: creating 3D art in 1966, using weed to get out of work, deciding not to become a millionaire, exhibition again after all these years and taking his retrospective cross country.
Sam Hartmann: You have a varied history genre wise, you seem to have tried many forms of painting and in the late 60’s you led the way in Australia for many contemporary artists in “new” genres. How would you classify yourself now?
Vernon Treweeke: Post modernists. I worked my way through from modernist to post modernist.More...
vernon treweeke, carriage works, 3D art, psychodelic art